It may not yet be summer on the calendar, but the pools are open, school is out (or almost!), and the days are getting longer. With a two-month break from the responsibilities of school, it could be argued that no one appreciates summer more than teenagers. Click the links below to read what these teens believe about the magic of summer.
Most people can remember receiving words of advice from their parents—whether they asked for it or not. And, even if we did not heed the advice we were given, there is often truth in the words our parents wanted to share to guide us in our lives. Click on the links below to learn more about the wisdom learned from listening to one’s parents.
The emotional and physical demands of providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease can be exhausting. But through that crucible, people may find that a fundamental belief comes into sharp focus. Click the links below to read what these essayists have learned while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.
Most people can probably make a quick list of books that have had a deep impact on their lives. And one of those books on a lot of those lists is To Kill a Mockingbird. Click on the links below to read more about how this classic book has had an impact on these readers.
The Latin phrase “carpe diem” translates as “seize the day,” an aphorism teaching us to put aside worries and concerns of the past or future in order to truly enjoy the moment. Many people heed this advice, and for the following essayists, living in the present moment has inspired a lifelong belief.
The American Dream may include cruising down the highway in your own car, but many people prefer alternative means of getting from point A to point B. Whether it’s mass transit or human-powered modes of travel, these essayists have come to believe in the unique ways they move around town.
The official start of spring is this week, and for some in the U.S., it can’t come too soon. The vernal equinox not only marks a change in the seasons, but a transition in life as the dormancy of winter gives way to life blooming anew. Click the links below to read how these essayists are inspired by the coming of spring.
Some say the secret to being a good friend is to be a good listener. But beyond friendship, being a good listener is essential in other relationships, both personal and professional. In honor of Listening Awareness Month, listen carefully to what these essayists have to say about being a good listener.
It’s National Foreign Language Week, a time when American high schools, colleges, and universities celebrate and recognize the importance of learning languages other than English. For some, the goal of learning a new language is to satisfy a grade in school. But for the essayists below, learning other languages changed their world.
There must be something special about a kiss. Painters paint them, sculptors sculpt them, and poets write about them. Whether it’s a sweet peck on the cheek, the kiss of young love, or the passionate embrace of romantic love, the kiss endures in our memories. Click the links below to learn how these writers feel about a kiss.
Will Thomas had planned to give up on America and move to Haiti after putting up with decades of bigotry and injustice toward African Americans. Then he decided to give the country one more chance, moving his family to an all-white town in Vermont. Click here to read his essay.
